Letters to the Editor: Oct. 18

Numbers have to add up

I attended the mayoral debate last Thursday at City Hall. I’ll be honest, I was shocked that my name was brought up a few times, especially by candidate Vicki Schmolka, someone I have never met. I appreciate that Ms. Schmolka at least dropped my name with Brit Smith, an incredible businessman who has done so much for the community. What I can’t understand is why I was addressed in a negative way. More than that, I can not understand why the candidate is waging a war against developers and people who put their money where their mouths are and invest in this city.

I am one of the biggest believers in great social programs and I genuinely believe in creating a better city for everyone. At the same time, I am a huge advocate of ensuring a plan must make financial sense for it to be viable. Whether it is a business, or in this case a city, the numbers have to add up.

I get frustrated when politicians run on slogans like “we can do better” but don’t explain how. I have been to candidate Schmolka’s debates, I have read her Facebook page, I have watched interviews. I have not seen anything concrete that shows how this candidate is going to create positive cash flow to sustain the promises that are being made. I find it difficult to understand how a candidate can suggest they want roads paved, sidewalks redone, more affordable housing built, better social programs, but has yet to elaborate on a plan for all these things. If you hinder development, the only way you can raise the money for programs is to raise taxes or put the city further into debt.

My advice: you have to grow your tax base. You have to support good developments and not create fear.

I was painted as the evil developer. Well, we have grocery stores, a machine shop, several metal manufacturing facilities, an automation equipment building company, a bridal store, rental properties, a construction company, and we are now hoping to open a new Nordic style inn and spa just north of the city. We invest nearly every dollar we make back in the community. I love where I live and I’m excited that I get to raise my kids in Kingston. We have focused on bringing old heritage buildings back to life and we really develop properties with passion and dedication.

I’m sorry that you have targeted me as the enemy. I don’t understand why, nor do I understand what work my team and I have ever done that has been so harmful to the city. You’re right, Vicki Schmolka, we can do better.